James Allsopp Appointed as Cricket Australia's First Chief of Cricket

James Allsopp has been named Cricket Australia's first Chief of Cricket, a newly created role that spans community cricket to national teams.

In response to the increasingly complex global schedule, Cricket Australia has restructured its operations, appointing Allsopp to oversee community cricket, talent pathways, high performance, and national teams. Previously, Allsopp managed the community cricket portfolio.

Ben Oliver, the current Executive General Manager of National Teams, will continue in his role, with the new structure allowing him to concentrate more on the preparation and performance of Australia's men's and women's world champion teams.

Both Allsopp and Oliver will join the CA executive team, alongside Sarah Pragnell, a former Australia rower-turned-investment banker, who has been appointed Chief Financial Officer.

Allsopp, a former keeper-batter, was part of New South Wales' under-19 national champion team in 2001-02 with future national player Dan Christian. He also played against an England academy team featuring Rob Key, the ECB's current managing director of cricket. CA Chief Executive Officer Nick Hockley expressed delight at Allsopp's appointment, highlighting his extensive experience and success as a player, coach, and administrator.

"James brings a wealth of experience and success as a player, coach and administrator, and his expertise and leadership will ensure we can build on the success we’ve had across all areas of the game," Hockley stated.

Oliver, who previously represented Victoria and Tasmania and led Western Australia Cricket Association's successful program, was appointed CA's head of High Performance and National Teams in 2019. Over the past five years, he has overseen victories in the World Test Championship final, ODI and T20 World Cups for men, and ICC global ODI and T20 trophies plus a Commonwealth Games gold medal for women. Australia also holds the men's and women's Ashes, with the latter set to be contested in a multi-format series starting January 12 next year, concluding with a historic day-night Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from January 30 to February 2.